need small rims for p5 for winter pothole driving

[SoonP5ismine]

i used this site http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp to try to match up some sizes. well i would like the smallest rims that will with the p5 so i can have a tall sidewall to use in winter and minimize pothole damage to wheels.
i came up with 2 possible sizes
14x6 or 13x6 both with 50 offset to match stock. now as far as tires i can get. i would rather get the 14s as finding tires will be easier. what do you guys think?or you have a size you can recommend that wont damage when i hit a pothole or when i drive like and ass and slide into a curb.

 

[KZL_99ES]

how big of potholes are you planning on hitting?!?
lol

i would say that it need not be necessary to go smaller than 15"

that's what mine are for stock/winter tires (...the ride is soooo smooth compared to the 17s)
i hit a pothole with my stocks on and popped both tires... with no rim damage!

 

[AlturredMP5]

woohoo!! 71 degree winters FTW!!

 

[CTt3P5]

13"s will fit? I think you'd be ok with 14" and bonus is that tires are cheap. haha

Here's a pic of my 185/70/14's on a 14x5.5 wheel and if IIRC +35 offset. Would that be enough sidewall for ya?

More pics in the link - http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3924465&postcount=19566

 

[slideshow240]

wow...i love texas ha ha

 

[SoonP5ismine]

how big of potholes are you planning on hitting?!?
lol

i would say that it need not be necessary to go smaller than 15"

that's what mine are for stock/winter tires (...the ride is soooo smooth compared to the 17s)
i hit a pothole with my stocks on and popped both tires... with no rim damage!

well i gotta say the stock p5 rims are tough. i popped a 205/40/16 inch 1 year old nitto neogen tire 2 months ago but the rim survived. had to get alignment done though as the steering wheel was not straight and the car was pulling. i think there is still something fukt with the suspension as i am getting grinding sound from the wheel. could be bearings but im not sure. i hit the damn pothole pretty hard. any pothole you hit that makes you swear F words for 5 minutes is a big one. and i dont want this to happen again.

 

[SoonP5ismine]

13"s will fit? I think you'd be ok with 14" and bonus is that tires are cheap. haha

Here's a pic of my 185/70/14's on a 14x5.5 wheel and if IIRC +35 offset. Would that be enough sidewall for ya?

More pics in the link - http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3924465&postcount=19566

i like those how ar they in the snow. as my nittos are really bad. what i need is some mini monster truck tires on small rims. that would be awesome! and i wouldn't care of the noise those would make.

 

[CTt3P5]

i like those how ar they in the snow. as my nittos are really bad. what i need is some mini monster truck tires on small rims. that would be awesome! and i wouldn't care of the noise those would make.

I personally can't comment on how they are in the snow but I have read very good things about the Blizzaks (from websites and first hand experiences with other members).

They do have a softer sidewall so they feel mushy in the turns but I have had no issues so far in the dry/wet weather with grip at reduced speeds of course. The ride around town has been greatly improved (thanks to the taller sidewall and I have noticed a little more noise on the highway but nothing that is intolerable.

The recommened size for the Pro is 185/65/14 but I found these for a helluva deal ($100 used one season) and couldn't pass them up. I have noticed that at highway speeds thru a construction zone I get some rubbing but not during everyday driving.

 

[Tom03es]

wow...i love texas ha ha

You can keep your humidity and hurricanes.

Both 15" and 14" size tires are pretty cheap. I've heard finding 5 bolt 14" wheels can be a little challenging though. I have 195/55-15 Hankook iPikes on my car in the winter.

 

[CTt3P5]

You can keep your humidity and hurricanes.

Both 15" and 14" size tires are pretty cheap. I've heard finding 5 bolt 14" wheels can be a little challenging though. I have 195/55-15 Hankook iPikes on my car in the winter.

Yes, it can be a challenge. It was sooooooo much fun trying to figure out what make/model year 14" steelies met all the mounting criteria, ie: bolt pattern, offset and width.

I was able to find a couple sets of 14" alloys on ebay however I am not dropping over $300 for winter wheels at the moment. lol

 

[SoonP5ismine]

i would love to get a rims with tires for 100. looking on craigslist now and dont see anything that fits yet.

 

[CTt3P5]

i would love to get a rims with tires for 100. looking on craigslist now and dont see anything that fits yet.

Actually I picked up the tires for $100 and then sourced the wheels from a local junkyard for another $100. Add another $30 for m&b and not a bad deal.

Not sure how local this is to ya, but it's a pretty good deal - http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/919948119.html

 

[SoonP5ismine]

well philly is atleast 1 hour drive with no traffic. i will keep looking here and maybe local stores might have winter tire/rim deals. also anyone can confirm that p5s have 5x100 lug pattern and not 5x113?

 

[MazKid]

well philly is atleast 1 hour drive with no traffic. i will keep looking here and maybe local stores might have winter tire/rim deals. also anyone can confirm that p5s have 5x100 lug pattern and not 5x113?

I can confirm that Protege5s along with every other 5 lug Mazda have 5X114.3 lug pattern.

 

[SoonP5ismine]

I can confirm that Protege5s along with every other 5 lug Mazda have 5X114.3 lug pattern.

s***. now i know that i dont know much about my car.

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

Safe way to go is with stuff already from Mazda. Before last winter I went to a local wheel/hubcap supplier who had 14" mazda wheels that were in excellent shape. Spent $20 each on wheels and then a good set of all seasons and they work great.

Here are the wheels on the car:

Did not keep a deer from running out in front of me the first week in November - but I got everything new in the front minus the fenders and fog lights...

And here are the tires I snagged:

Have been through ice, sleet and 4 + inches of snow with no problems.

Good luck.

 

[SoonP5ismine]

hey guys i just picked up 4 14 inch eclipse rims with tires for 140$ that are sortof ok will post pics later.

 

[JDM-P5]

A few years back...we had a GACC meet in the Cheeha Mnts. I blew one tire on the highway, drove that b**** on stock rims (tire was flat as a pancake) to the next exit, and changed the tire. Only to have ANOTHER tire go flat while I was putting the spare on. So, I had to drive on the OTHER stock rim (tire was flat) to the Wal-Mart and swap another tire out.
Moral of the story:
STOCK P5 WHEELS are pretty much invincible. I have 2 witnesses and pictures of this incident also.

 

[MSP2024]

A few years back...we had a GACC meet in the Cheeha Mnts. I blew one tire on the highway, drove that b**** on stock rims (tire was flat as a pancake) to the next exit, and changed the tire. Only to have ANOTHER tire go flat while I was putting the spare on. So, I had to drive on the OTHER stock rim (tire was flat) to the Wal-Mart and swap another tire out.
Moral of the story:
STOCK P5 WHEELS are pretty much invincible. I have 2 witnesses and pictures of this incident also.

damn thats nuts

 

[JDM-P5]

Tell me about it.